Noob pics *open fire*

[James Lewis]

I did a bunch of clear and fumed guys but their in storage. I also made some mistletoe but cant get the pics to load. Ill try again with new pics

[James Lewis]

Here we go these are my first two attempts at mistletoe. Comments always and thank you for looking

[d3rk]

What System said... Work clear only til you can't anymore. You'll be able to see every low or high spot. Some killer flowers... by killer I mean the opposite. They look kind.

[James Lewis]

Their mistletoe not flowers its what you hang over a doorway

[d3rk]

Do misletoe bud?

[istandalone24/7]

i thought mistletoe was hung on beltbuckels during the xmas season?

either way James i love the sculpture!!

[James Lewis]

No they dont their a type of berry that is highly posions like holly berries ill have to dig up why their so big on the holidays. There has to be a good story about it.

[James Lewis]

Found some info on the holly and mistletoe plants its actually pretty cool. Check it out.

http://didyouknow.org/christmas/mistletoe/

[James Lewis]

Thanks for the comments and kind words everyone im thinking of trying a wreath lol

[James Lewis]

Some first attempts at vases the clear one in the back is the best

[ROGUE]

That misletoe turned out great. You should perfect that and take them to a craft show before Christmas.

[James Lewis]

Their as perfect as their going to get. Nature is not perfect so their not

[Mecha]

That's sounds like a total cop out to me.

Don't make excuses, try harder.

[James Lewis]

Tell me what you mean by perfect and remember im not china

[LTD]

Do it in clear 100 times. Then do it 100 more. Fuming is cheaper than color, and looks nice. You clearly have a serious need to learn how to read heat base. Humble your self and listen to those who have been doing this since you were in diapers, just my .02

[Mecha]

What does China have to do with this?

You just started blowing glass, do you really think that those are the best you are ever going to be able to do with that form?

A lot of noobs get defensive at any criticism and chalk up imperfection to all sorts of things. You hear the same exact excuses over and over. "It's art, so it can be whatever". "The wonky-ness makes it function better". "Nothing is perfect".

Look, I can see how I sounded a little dickish, so let me expand on the thought.

You should always strive for improvement. Instead of mainly seeing what you think you did right with your work, you should first focus on what you can improve. Self satisfaction without self critique is not conducive to progression in any medium. Not that you shouldn't be proud of your accomplishments, just don't get too carried away. I know friends and family can blow your head up a bit, but don't confuse their support with an educated or informed critique of glass. Like, if you listened to just your mom, you would probably think you were the most handsome man on the planet.

Trust me, being your own harshest critic will get you a lot farther than being your own biggest cheerleader. I have seen guys stagnate for years (literally) because they believe their own hype.

So that said, learn to develop the ability to honestly criticize your own work, it will help you tremendously.

Good luck man. It may sound like I am trying to bash you, but believe me, I am honestly trying to help.

[James Lewis]

I understand what your saying. I made two more after those two one looked like a kid did it the other is a bit more uniform with leaf length and size. Right now their on the back burner im focusing more on the bulbs then the misltoe. However i understand that my friends and family are full of shit when it comes to my work otherwise i proably wouldnt of even tried them or the vases which have a long way to go. I guess what im saying is that my work is just starting so im just now starting to crack down on how it looks. With the misltoe i want them to be tighter at the leaves and cover up the welds more. With the bulbs i want perfect spheres the vases well i just want them to make it to the kion and be able to stand up straight. Ill give the fumed idea a try but still use the clear frit to give the leaves more of a eye catching pattern. Its really sorta hard to be humble so bare with me

[istandalone24/7]

learn to embrace criticism!

those vases are a good start! you made all those on a midrange? how tall is the tallest clear vase?

[Mecha]

Its really sorta hard to be humble...

Why?

[Icarus]

Its really sorta hard to be humble so bare with me

You'd actually be surprised how easy it can be.